Career Questions: What Is the Point of Supervision?

Q:I read the Q
& A about “drive by” supervision.Here’s another problem we have in our school.Our principal comes in on the day and period scheduled and
stays for the whole class.But
then, nothing!Months later we get
the written evaluation in our mailboxes.By that time the feedback is pretty vague and generally useless.I’m not sure she even remembers what
happened in the class she observed.I know she’s busy, but why bother to even visit the classroom if there’s
no valid feedback?

A:There’s more
than one problem here.Valid,
useful feedback needs to be timely and specific.But even more important is a chance to sit down with your
principal and talk about the class she’s just seen BEFORE any written
evaluation is completed.

I know from many years’ experience as a principal that
supervision takes a lot of time to do well.I used to try to meet with teachers before visiting the
classroom to talk about what I was going to see.Next I’d visit the classroom.Then I’d sit down and talk with the teacher as soon as I
could (maybe even that day) so we could have a useful discussion while it was
still fresh in both our minds.Finally I’d write up what we’d talked about (no surprises for the teacher!).

It was a great system, but it took a lot of time.So the year that my assistant
principal’s position was cut, instead of meeting beforehand, I asked teachers
to fill out a form telling me the goals, strategies, etc. of
what I was going
to see.I still met with the
teacher as soon as I could after the lesson.Both the teachers and I considered the follow-up meeting the
most important part of the process.The written report wasn’t hard to do afterwards because we’d already
talked about what would go into it.

There is no question that good supervision takes time, but
it’s one of the most important jobs a principal has.And nearly every teacher I’ve ever worked with enjoyed
talking about his or her class.I
am always impressed by how reflective and self-critical teachers can be about
their own teaching.

Anyway, the point of all of this is what your principal is
doing simply isn’t helpful.Your
faculty council (if you have one) should confront this topic and share your
feelings with the principal.If
this isn’t possible (for various reasons), try making an appointment to see the
principal right after her classroom visit and ask for direct feedback.